Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Shortly after SEIU's Maryland and D.C. State Council made endorsements for state legislators, SEIU Local 500 (which represents school support staff and adjunct professors) released their county office endorsement list. Many of their incumbent endorsements were expected. The newsworthy endorsements are incumbent Roger Berliner in District 1 (who is batting one thousand on this measure), Craig Rice in District 2 and Hans Riemer, who is challenging at-large. Incumbent at-large member Nancy Floreen also earned an endorsement. Following is their press release.SEIU Local 500 Announces Montgomery County Endorsements

GAITHERSBURG, MD (June 22) – SEIU Local 500 announced its endorsements of candidates for the Montgomery County Council and Montgomery County Board of Education today.

For election to the Board of Education, SEIU Local 500 has endorsed Patricia O'Neill, Judy Docca, Mike Durso, and Shirley Brandman. SEIU Local 500 members chose to endorse Roger Berliner, Craig Rice, Nancy Navarro, and Valerie Ervin in their respective district-wide county council races. In the at-large county council race, Local 500 endorses incumbents Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, and George Leventhal, and challenger Hans Riemer.

“In a difficult year, Local 500 is supporting leaders who value the contributions of Local 500 members, who educate and support the needs of students and persons with disabilities throughout Montgomery County,” said Mary Belin, MCPS supporting services staff member and chairwoman of SEIU Local 500’s COPE committee. “We are proud to support long-time friends of Local 500 members and those they serve, as well as challengers, who we believe will bring fresh ideas and principled leadership to the county.”

“Local 500 members play a critical role in education and community service throughout Montgomery County and the region,” explains Merle Cuttitta, president of SEIU Local 500. “We are invested in the political process in order to ensure that the services we provide are properly funded and understood as essential to the success of our county and region. Naturally, we support candidates who are pro-education and pro-working families. Local 500 members are committed to ensuring their election this fall and we look forward to working with these leaders in the coming years. Though they will undoubtedly be challenging ones, we believe this group is suited to meet those challenges and bring all the county’s stakeholders together to find acceptable solutions.”

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Service Employees International Union Local 500 represents 18,000 women and men working in child care and education, and in service to communities and the public interest in Maryland and Washington, D.C.